The Effects of Glucagon on Renal Regional Blood Flow in Humans Measured by Magnetic Resonance.

NCT06872060 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: H-24012271
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 10
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study will investigating the effects of glucagon on renal blood flow in humans using MRI technology. Glucagon, a hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels. It has been shown to affect renal function, including electrolyte balance and blood flow, especially in conditions like type 2 diabetes where abnormal glucagon levels are common. The study aims to understand how glucagon affects regional blood flow in the kidneys, specifically the cortex and medulla, and whether these effects are mediated by glucagon receptors. The study will be conducted on 10 healthy male participants aged 20-60 years. It involves three test days where participants will receive either glucagon, glucagon with a GLP-1 receptor antagonist, or placebo. Blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and other renal functions will be measured using MRI. The study seeks to clarify whether glucagon's effects on the kidneys are linked to changes in regional blood flow and to determine if these effects are mediated solely by glucagon receptors.

Conditions

Kidney Diseases

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Blood perfusion of the kidney

  we would like to measure blood perfusion of the kidneys over time

  7 measurements of 10 minutes each from the start of infusion (time 0) and up to one hour (time 60).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Blood flow of the renal arteries

  7 measurements of 10 minutes each from the start of infusion (time 0) and up to one hour (time 60).

• blood oxygen saturation of the kidneys

  7 measurements of 10 minutes each from the start of infusion (time 0) and up to one hour (time 60).

Study Arms (3)

Glucagon

EXPERIMENTAL

Drug: Glucagon; Drug: Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Drug: Sodium chloride

Glucagon+Exendin9-39

EXPERIMENTAL

Drug: Glucagon; Drug: Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Drug: Sodium chloride

Sodium chloride (Placebo comparator)

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Drug: Glucagon; Drug: Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Drug: Sodium chloride

Interventions

Glucagon DRUG

Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes.

Glucagon; Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Sodium chloride (Placebo comparator)

Glucagon+Exendin9-39 DRUG

Glucagon infusion at 5 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 0-30 minutes and 10 ng·kg-¹·min-¹ from 30-60 minutes, plus a GLP-1R antagonist, exendin 9-39 (900 pmol·kg-¹·min-¹), given intravenously from -30 to 60 minutes

Glucagon; Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Sodium chloride (Placebo comparator)

Sodium chloride DRUG

Placebo (0.9% NaCl).

Glucagon; Glucagon+Exendin9-39; Sodium chloride (Placebo comparator)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Normal health confirmed through; Interview and Medical examination
• Normal values with respect to blood concentrations of fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma total cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, HDL, LDL, creatinine, liver function tests, and electrolytes
• Informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Immunosuppressive treatment in the previous 12 months
• Alcohol abuse
• Medical treatment with oral glucocorticoids, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, or GLP-1 receptor agonists, which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may interfere with glucose metabolism
• Use of lithium
• Medical treatment that affects insulin secretion or the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
• Liver disease (ALT \> 2x normal value)
• Renal impairment (serum creatinine \> 130 µM and/or albuminuria)
• Individuals with severe claustrophobia
• Individuals with MR-incompatible foreign bodies
• Individuals with hypertension

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bispebjerg Hospital: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Kidney Diseases

Interventions

Glucagon; Sodium Chloride

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Proglucagon; Pancreatic Hormones; Peptide Hormones; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Peptides; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Chlorides; Hydrochloric Acid; Chlorine Compounds; Inorganic Chemicals; Sodium Compounds

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Chief Physician, Associate Professor, PhD, MD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 21, 2025
• First Posted: March 12, 2025
• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Last Updated: October 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share